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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 215-2"
COURSE NAME: "Italian Politics and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Simoncini Gabriele
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 18:00-19:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: PL 223 recommended for students majoring in Political Science and International Affairs
OFFICE HOURS: M W 17:45 - 18:00
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course attempts to provide the student with a general understanding of Italian politics and society.  Priority is given to conceptualization of different phenomena and historical development.  Critical thinking and comparative analysis will be applied to achieve a clear understanding of Italian history, society and political change.  

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course covers political and social change in the recent history of Italy to the present, focussing on current political life and society.  A general historical introduction is provided.  Economic, social, and cultural aspects are treated.  Political theories, political movements, and ideologies including Liberalism and Communism are covered.  Nationalism and the Fascism era are analyzed.  Investigation focuses on transitional phenomena, political players, and structural fundamentals.  Italy is studied in the context of European Integration and the broader global scenario.  Particular attention is dedicated to specific social issues including, corruption, political terrorism, and the Mafia.  The Italian educational system, labour movement, and the “Made in Italy” business are treated.  The Vatican, Catholic Church, and Freemasonry are analyzed.  Identity and ethnicity are addressed including the issues of national identity, regionalism, separatism, and federalism.  The program covers Italy as a multinational society analysing ethnicity, immigration, and integration, with a special attention to the case of the Roma people.  Major political and scholarly interpretations of the periods and topics covered will be considered.  The class format includes lectures, discussion, team work, presentations, and audiovisual materials. The students will be asked to produce a research project, making extensive personal use of information and communication technology.  Guest speakers and field trips are planned.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will develop the ability to critically analyze the background and the present state of Italian politics.  They will be able to relate Italian political ideas, events, and players to the broader European and global political context.  Experience education, including guest speakers, field trips and team work will allow the students to better comprehend Italian realities.  Students will develop ability to conduct basic research, organize and present their findings in a logical and independent way.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Modern Italy.Foot J., New York333669053     
The Politics of Italy. Newell J. L.,New York0521600464     
Italy Today: The Sick Man of Europe. Mammone A., Veltri G., (eds.), London0415561604     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Pursuit of ItalyGilmour D.Allen Lane1846142512  
The Politics of Italian National IdentityBedani G., Haddock B., Cainen B.U. of Wales Press 0708316220  
The Failure of Italian NationhoodGraziano M.Palgrave0230104134  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern ItalyPutnam R. D.,Princeton, 1993.0691037388  
Berlusconi’s Italy: Mapping Contemporary Italian PoliticsShin M. E.., Agnew J. A., Philadelphia, 2010.1592137172  
Italian Regionalism. History, Identity and Politics.Levy C. (Ed.), Oxford, 1996.1859731562  
Modern Italy in Historical PerspectiveCarter, N., London 20100340759011  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participation 10%
Midterm exam 20%
Presentation and other assignments 15%
Final exam 25%
Final project with portfolio 30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Letter grades correspond to the numerical scale: 

A to A-  = 100% to 90%.   B+ to B-  =  89% to 80%.   C+ to C-  =  79% to 70%.   D+ to D-  =  69% to 60%.   F = <60%.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
A maximum of four absences are allowed throughout the semester.  Any additional absence will result in a penalization of one grade level (e.g.: from A to A-, from A- to B+, from B+ to B).  Two latenesses count for one absence.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE
Unit    1                 Introduction.  Methodology.  Definitions.

(Sep. 3, 5)                                                                                                                                                                         (assigned readings)

Unit    2                 Italy:  Historical and cultural overview.  Territorial and economic development.  The nation and the people.

(Sep. 10, 12)                                                                                                                                      (Foot, p. 1-21; Mammone, p. 1-16; assigned readings)

Unit    3                 The Italian state and the nation.  The liberalism era.  Political change and economic development.  Fascism era.

(Sep. 17, 19)                                                                                                                                               (Foot, p. 21-43; Newell, p. 1-46 assigned readings)

Unit    4                 The republic and the nation.  Architecture and development of the Italian state.  The post-war economy.

(Sep. 24, 26)                                                                                                                                    (Foot, p. 43-53; Mammone, p. 17-48; assigned readings)

Unit    5                 Structures and institutions of the Italian state.  The party system.  Ideology and political culture.

(Oct. 1, 3)                                                                                                                                              (Foot, p. 54-70; Newell, p. 47-72,  assigned readings)

Unit    6                 Justice, laws and the legal system.  The Judiciary.  The prison system.  Multi-level government.    

(Oct. 8, 10)                                                                                                (Foot, p. 70-93; Newell, p. 73-107; Mammone, p. 49-98; assigned readings)

Unit    7                 Policy-making and policy implementation.  Bureaucracy.  National and local institutions.  Central-local relations.

(Oct. 15, 17*)                                                                                     (Foot, p. 93-110; Newell, p. 108-142; Mammone, p. 99-113; assigned readings)

                               *MIDTERM EXAM

Unit    8                 Italian economy and Italian society.  Industrial Italy.  The economic miracle.  Political culture.

(Oct. 22, 24)                                                                                (Foot, p. 111-132; Newell, p. 143-178 ; Mammone, p. 114-142; assigned readings)

Unit    9                 “The southern question”.  Informal Institutions.  Pressure groups.  The Italian  Mafias.  Freemasonry.  The Vatican.

(Oct. 29, 31)                                                                                  (Foot, p. 132-158; Newell, p. 179-209; Mammone, p. 143-170; assigned readings)

Unit  10                 The politics of  transformism, consiciationism, and clientelism.  Catholic, Communist, and Fascist  political parties.

(Nov. 5, 7)                                                                                     (Foot, p. 159-173; Newell, p. 210-250; Mammone, p. 171-198; assigned readings)

Unit  11                 Governing the economy.  The public-private divide.  The big industry.  New bipolarity.  Welfare and rights.

(Nov. 12, 14)                                                                                 (Foot, p. 173-189; Newell, p. 251-317; Mammone, p. 199-228; assigned readings)

Unit  12                 The second republic.  Party replacement Italian style.  Berlusconi’s Geographical success.  Foreign policy.

(Nov. 19, 21)                                                                                                                                (Foot, p. 189-212; Newell, p. 318-357; assigned readings)

Unit  13                  Current social and political issues in Italian society.  Managing immigration and integration.

(Nov. 26, 28)                                                                                                                                                             (Mammone, p. 229-242 ;assigned readings)

Unit  14                 Italy, the European Union, and Globalization.  Conclusion.  Review.

(Dic. 3. 5*)                                                                                                                                                                (Mammone, p. 243-252 ;assigned readings)

                                *  FINAL PAPER  * PORTFOLIO 

(Dec 9-14, tba*)      * FINAL EXAM